The Importance of Medical Documentation in Personal Injury Lawsuits

The preponderance of evidence is the legal standard used in personal injury lawsuits. This basically means showing the court that your version of events is likely more true than not. And to achieve this, you need evidence like medical documentation. This blog will explain what medical documentation is and how you can use this key piece of evidence to get compensation in your personal injury case. Have a look and gain valuable insights from legal experts.

What Is Medical Documentation?

Medical documentation refers to all the evidence used to prove the nature and extent of your injuries. Say, for instance, you broke your leg in a car accident. In such a case, medical documentation would include emergency room reports, x-ray tests, and prescription information. This documentation sheds light on your injuries and the treatments you received.

What Is the Purpose of This Evidence in Your Suit?

Going to the doctor early signals that the accident was severe enough to necessitate immediate medical aid. “The moment you walk into the hospital or are wheeled into the ER, a trail of documentation is automatically produced,” says personal injury lawyer Jeffrey P. Lowenthal of Lowenthal & Abrams Injury Lawyers.

The main purpose of medical evidence is to prove that your injuries arise from the accident and not some other underlying cause. This is why you should seek medical attention immediately after an accident, whether or not you have any apparent symptoms. Remember, some injuries may take hours or even days to show signs.

What Types of Medical Documentation Can You Produce as Evidence in Your Case?

• Emergency room records: If your injury was serious enough to require emergency medical treatment, these will be your first proof of injury when you file your case.
• Specialist consultation records: Keep records of all consultations with any specialists, general practitioners, surgeons, or even accident reconstruction specialists.
• Test results: This includes X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. You can use the results of these tests as evidence in your case.
• Treatment plans: Keep records of all treatment plans you used during recovery, whether physical therapy, medications, surgeries, or other treatments.

Why Working With a Lawyer Is Recommended

Now that you know the importance of medical documentation in your case, you should work with a qualified and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to collect this evidence. Here’s how they can help:

• Collecting and preserving medical records: You don’t have to collect this data yourself. A lawyer can request and obtain all documents, which is vital to building your case.
• Causation: Your lawyer will review the medical records and use their knowledge of the industry to link the injuries to the accident. If you have any pre-existing conditions, your lawyer will use your medical records to show how the accident made those conditions worse.
• Working with medical experts: Your lawyer will work with medical experts who will review the documentation and testify about the extent of your injuries, their cause, and long-term effects.
• Calculating damages: These experts will use medical bills and treatment records to calculate economic damages like medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages. They will also use the same information to estimate future treatment costs you may need.
• Protecting your privacy: Your lawyer will only disclose the necessary medical information to the defense to protect your privacy.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: They will also submit organized medical documentation to insurance companies during settlement negotiations. This evidence will counter the insurance companies when they deny the extent of the injury or the need for treatment.

Conclusion

Up to this point, you have a clear picture of the importance of medical documentation when filing a personal injury lawsuit. So, keep all those medical records intact and work with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. They will help you obtain this information and use it to establish causation and counter insurance company arguments during negotiations.